November 24, 2015
The construction project
continues with no significant delays. The late October and early to mid- November
weather has been unusually mild and has allowed for exterior work to progress
as planned. The library team, consisting of myself on a regular basis and alternates
Laurie Kodet and Kathy Rush, meet weekly with Brennan’s construction team, key
subcontractors, Director of Public Works Dave Bennett, Facilities Coordinator
Todd Fredrickson, buildings inspector Jim Kessler and either Chris Schmitt or Michael Roehr, our architects. Each
week we review outstanding items that need input or review, discuss progress
and preview the project schedule. All project documents are held on a Basecamp
website with access for all responsible parties.
Not included in the scope
of this project, but to be added concurrently, will be security cameras for the
library. Most of these will cover the library interior, but will include one
camera on the exterior of the Washington plaza entrance. These digital cameras will be able to be accessed
remotely via a secure website and will be compatible with similar security
camera systems in City buildings.
As the construction
progresses we have had questions about the existing cornerstone for the
original building. Up until library construction, the cornerstone has been
partially buried and barely visible behind shrubbery and a large cedar tree.
With the removal of the tree and subsequent excavation the cornerstone has been
once again uncovered, and several people have expressed the hope that it will
remain very visible. As of now, the planter wall footings have been poured at
that corner and because of the elevation at that corner, the wall necessitated
a six-foot height. The cornerstone will be above ground and visible from upper
elevations including the exterior stairway leading to the Carnegie Porch, but
not from the Washington plaza level. Library architects are exploring the use
of low-voltage lighting to spotlight the cornerstone.